Trade relations with the United States
Trade relations with the United States
Relations between the EEC and the United States
'The economic dispute between the common market and the United States' from the Corriere della Sera (26 February 1969)
TexteOn 26 February 1969, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera takes a detailed look at the complexity of the economic controversy between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the United States.
Henry Kissinger, A la Maison Blanche
TexteDans ses Mémoires, Henry Kissinger, ancien secrétaire d'État américain, rappelle les difficiles relations commerciales entre les États-Unis et la Communauté économique européenne (CEE) au début des années soixante-dix.
'The EEC and the United States discuss their differences' from the Süddeutsche Zeitung (18 January 1971)
TexteOn 18 January 1971, in its coverage of the visit by Phillip Trezise, US Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, to the European institutions in Brussels, German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung looks again at the economic differences that separate the United States and the European Economic Community (EEC).
Second Annual Report to the Congress on United States Foreign Policy (25 February 1971)
TexteOn 25 February 1971, US President, Richard Nixon, presents a report to Congress on future US foreign policy and describes the country's economic relations with the European Economic Community (EEC).
Relations between the EEC and the United States
ImageIn April 1971, President of the EUropean Commission, Franco Maria Malfatti, visits the United States where, in particular, he meets US President, Richard Nixon, at the White House.
'Is the United States about to start a trade war with the Community?' from Le Figaro (22 June 1971)
TexteOn 22 June 1971, French daily newspaper Le Figaro looks at the recriminations of American farmers and political leaders with regard to the principles of the European common agricultural policy (CAP).
'An increasingly political issue' from 30 jours d'Europe (November 1971)
TexteIn November 1971, the monthly publication 30 jours d'Europe recalls the origin of the difficult relations between Europe and the United States and analyses the monetary and commercial grievences exchanged between the two parties.
'Europe flexes its muscles' from Die Welt (10 November 1971)
TexteOn 10 November 1971, German daily newspaper Die Welt describes the economic tensions between the United States and the European Economic Community (EEC).
Cartoon by Gibbard on the difficult trade relations between the EEC and the United States (24 November 1971)
ImageIn November 1971, New Zealand cartoonist Leslie Gibbard illustrates the difficult trade relations between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the United States. On the left, US President Richard Nixon is depicted as an Indian chief.
Address given by Joseph A. Greenwald (Brussels, 20 February 1973)
TexteOn 20 February 1973, addressing the American and Common Market Club in Brussels, Joseph A. Greenwald, Head of the United States Mission to the European Communities, outlines the nature and state of political and economic relations between the United States and the European Communities.
Statement by William J. Casey (5 April 1973)
TexteOn 5 April 1973, William J. Casey, US Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs, sets out before the US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee the policy line to be followed by the United States vis-à-vis the European Community.
Address given by Henry A. Kissinger (New York, 23 April 1973)
TexteOn 23 April 1973, addressing Associated Press’s Annual Dinner in New York, Henry Kissinger, National Security Affairs Adviser to US President Richard Nixon, summarises the development of Euro-American relations.
Cartoon by Behrendt on the changing relations between Europe and the United States (20 March 1974)
ImageOn 20 March 1974, Fritz Behrendt, a Dutch cartoonist originally from Berlin, takes an ironic look at the changing relations between Europe and the United States over the past 20 years. In 1954, the United States was the dominant force in relations with the countries of Europe, which listened attentively to the advice given by Uncle Sam, but the balance of power seems to have been reversed by 1974. The Europe of the Six has become larger; it has gradually unified, has a fast-developing common market and industrial sector, and is keen to affirm its independence from Uncle Sam. In the 1970s, many countries in the European Community (EC) challenge their interdependence with the United States in the economic, monetary, trade and energy fields.
'The shortcomings of the EEC have an effect all the way to Washington' from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (21 March 1974)
TexteOn 21 March 1974, German dialy newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung considers the tensions between the United States and the European Economic Community (EEC).
‘The EEC, a priority area for US investment’ from Le Monde diplomatique (May 1974)
TexteIn May 1974, the French monthly newspaper Le Monde diplomatique analyses the development of US capital invested in the European Community between 1960 and the first enlargement in 1972.
Cartoon by Bas on the relationship between the EEC and the United States (23 March 1974)
ImageIn the mid 1970s, relations between the United States and the European Communities become tense. Here Europe and Uncle Sam are arguing over an umbrella, the symbol of protection and independence.
'So what is America doing?' from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (20 April 1977)
TexteIn its coverage of the visit to Washington by Roy Jenkins, President of the European Commission, German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung considers the development of economic and trade relations between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the United States.
East-West relations following the Copenhagen summit, by Geneviève Tabouis (RTL, 16 December 1973)
SonIn her weekly radio programme on RTL, the journalist Geneviève Tabouis discusses the Copenhagen European summit of 14 and 15 December 1973. On this occasion, she briefly examines relations between the United States and Europe.
GATT
'Will it be the "NIXON ROUND" next?' from Perspectives économiques (18 November 1972)
TexteOn 18 November 1972, French weekly publication Perspectives économiques is concerned about the outcome of the forthcoming GATT trade negotiations and foresees a tough battle between American and European negotiators.
Memorandum from the European Commission (10 April 1973)
TexteOn 10 April 1973, the European Commission forwards to the Council its suggestions concerning the stance to be adopted by the Nine during the forthcoming GATT multilateral trade negotiations.
Statement by Michel Jobert (15 May 1973)
TexteOn 15 May 1973, during a European Communities’ Council of Ministers meeting, the French Foreign Minister, Michel Jobert, criticises a document submitted by the Commission on the general guidlines the Europe of the Nine should adopt with a view to future GATT trade negotiations.
'Europe and the United States want to avoid a trade war' from 30 jours d'Europe (May 1973)
TexteIn May 1973, the monthly publication 30 jours d'Europe lists the measures planned by the United States and by the European Economic Community (EEC) to avoid trade wars between the two economic blocs.
Statement by Richard Nixon (8 Septembre 1973)
TexteOn 8 September 1973, US President, Richard Nixon, makes a statement regarding the forthcoming opening of tariff negotiations, known as the Tokyo Round, and re-states the US position on the future organisation of world trade.
Speech given by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (Tokyo, 12 September 1973)
TexteOn 12 September 1973, in Tokyo, at the opening session of the GATT multilateral trade negotiations, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing , French Minister for Economic Affairs and Finance, gives his interpretation of the issues involved in the conference.
GATT
Speech by Hans Friderichs (Tokyo, 12 September 1973)
TexteOn 12 September 1973, during the opening session of the GATT multilateral trade negotiations in Tokyo, German Finance Minister, Hans Friderichs, delivers a speech on how to consolidate and improve international trade regulations.
Statement by Christopher Soames (Tokyo, 12 September 1973)
TexteOn 12 September 1973, at the opening of the GATT trade negotiations in Tokyo, Christopher Soames, Vice-President of the European Commission, outlines the stance taken by the Nine on the organisation of international trade.
Christopher Soames
ImageSir Christopher Soames, Vice-President of the European Commission with special responsibility for External Relations from January 1973 to January 1977.
The Tokyo Declaration (14 September 1973)
TexteOn 14 September 1973, following the GATT ministerial conference known as the Tokyo Round, an official declaration is issued, setting out the goals to be achieved during the next round of international trade negotiations.
European Parliament Resolution on the Community's position in the GATT negotiations (18 June 1975)
TexteOn 18 June 1975, the European Parliament calls the Member States of the European Economic Community (EEC) engaged in the GATT multilateral trade negotiations to work in support of an equitable world trade organisation.
'The starting point: the Tokyo Declaration' from Le Monde (17 January 1978)
TexteOn 17 January 1978, French daily newspaper Le Monde describes the strong points of successive negotiations on international trade since the entry into force, in 1948, of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
Interview with Edmund Wellenstein: the position of the European Commission in the Tokyo Round negotiations (The Hague, 27 August 2009)
VidéoIn this interview, Edmund Wellenstein, European Commission Director-General for External Relations between 1973 and 1976, describes the position of the European Commission in the Tokyo Round negotiations for the liberalisation of world trade through the reduction of customs duties on the main industrial products.
'Main topics of discussion' from Le Monde (17 January 1978)
TexteOn 17 January 1978, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the main topics of discussion on the agenda for the final phase of the GATT negotiations, and analyses the decisions adopted concerning the reduction of customs tariffs.
Suspension of the dollar's convertibility into gold
Speech by Richard Nixon (15 August 1971)
TexteOn 15 August 1971, in an adress to the nation, US President, Richard Nixon, announces the implementation of his new economic policy and speaks in detail about the measures taken to increase prosperity in the United States.
Statements by the Commission (16 to 18 August 1971)
TexteOn 16, 17 and 18 August 1971, the European Commission expresses its astonishment at the decision of American President, Richard Nixon, to suspend the convertibility of the dollar into gold and to introduce a 10% import surcharge.
'The dollar hits the floor' from the Süddeutsche Zeitung (17 August 1971)
TexteOn 17 August 1971, the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung examines the consequences for international trade of the United States' suspending the dollar's convertibility into gold.
'Two options' from the Corriere della Sera (17. August 1971)
TexteOn 17 August 1971, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera expresses concern about the economic consequences, in Europe and throughout the world, of the United States' unilateral decision to suspend the dollar's convertibility into gold.
‘The admission' from Le Monde (17 August 1971)
TexteOn 17 August 1971, the French newspaper Le Monde sets down the reasons for the announced suppression by the United States of the dollar’s convertibility to gold and points out the risk of a devaluation of the American currency.
Cartoon by Murschetz on the effects of the suspension of the dollar's convertibility into gold (17 August 1971)
Image'The currency standard'. In this cartoon published in the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung on 17 August 1971, the cartoonist, Murschetz, portrays the end of the dollar's convertibility into gold as a precursor to the dollar's freefall on the world's stock markets.
Communiqué issued by Georges Pompidou on the international monetary situation (Paris, 18 August 1971)
TexteOn 18 August 1971, the French President comments on the US decision to suspend the convertibility of the dollar into gold and calls for closer monetary cooperation at Community level.
Position adopted by the European Community (Geneva, 24 August 1971)
TexteOn 24 August 1971, at a meeting of the GATT Council in Geneva, the European Economic Community (EEC) condemns the protectionist measures taken by the US President, Richard Nixon, regarding international trade.
Memorandum from the Commission to the Council on the problems raised by the present monetary situation (10 september 1971)
TexteOn 10 September 1971, a memorandum from the Commission to the Council of Ministers of the European Communities sets out the measures under consideration by Europe in response to the United States' decision to suspend the dollar's convertibility into gold.
Press conference given by Georges Pompidou at the Elysée (Paris, 25 September 1971)
TexteOn 25 September 1971, during a press conference at the Élysée Palace, French President, Georges Pompidou, analyses US monetary policy and calls for a reorganisation of the international monetary system.
'The man who twice devalued the dollar' from Le Monde (25 April 1994)
TexteOn 25 April 1994, French daily newspaper Le Monde recalls the US motivation for deciding, on 15 August 1971, to suspend the convertibility of the dollar into gold.